DOA Review: Predatory Instinct (2011)

Once again, it is time to trudge into the muck of films unable to make it to the ER for rescuing before their untimely demise, so bad they rotted out the ambulance and now overgrown by nature, forgotten by many, especially the horror fans. Yes, DOA uncovering the worst of the worst, when one says they have seen the wretched have they really, what determines this baffling question. This week, Predatory Instinct comes from one-time director Daniel Alexander, who also served as editor for his movie, with the assistance of screenwriter Brian Bentel (also his only screen credit) bring a tired old storyline to the audience. Bentel, who holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Texas A&M, expresses many thoughts into his character Emmett with long winded dry dissertations on humans hunter prey and the love affair of eating meats. More on this thought process later, the movie hatched from production companies Type A Entertainment (their only film) and a larger known company Abnormal Entertainment, achieved a successful distribution from Brain Damage Films (though some sources state Midnight Releasing), and if one’s familiar with their track record then you know already what lies ahead of you. By the way most of the cast starred in either Flesh, TX (2009) from director Guy Crawford or Blood Moon Rising (2009) by director Brian Skiba, making this a reunion of sorts, and these two films rank higher on popularity than Predatory Instinct.

Now this reviewer took the time and struggled to stay focused for the entire 94-running time, however I found myself able to successful multitask while jotting down some notes as I always do, for anything I am reviewing. Nevertheless, this review likely won’t be long, as the dialogue bores oneself, and not much keeps the film entertaining, in fact the awkwardness screams out on the screen, from the visuals to the presentation of the characters. Therefore, I sacrificed what little sanity I have left as well as my eyesight and my love for the horror genre, so you could and can avoid this nightmare.

The flick opens with a woman screaming in a forest, and bumping to two unknown men, who utter rude statements, before some noisy industrial music echoes over and the screen shows teeth chopping maybe some blood but it’s all much jumbled and then wam-bam jump cut. All one needs to know that the staple of customary horror set-ups employed in the movie, a group of so-called friends head to a stranger’s home for fun which we all know means slaughter-fest and death – except the blood loss highly limited. Alright I suppose one could delve a bit further, but I warn you, it never gets much better, the low production values clearly showing, with the sound muffling often, it all starts a bar, obviously after-hours, Randi (Stephanie Cunningham) turned on by mysterious customer named Emmett (Aaron Ginn-Forsberg) who excites her telling tales of pleasure, passion, and playful enjoyment. It’s off with friends Brandon (Michael Jason Allen), southern ass crude to the bone, thinking he’s the gift and god to women, no one talking him seriously, but makes mention of raping and dumping bodies as they Randi and Trish (Kristin Leigh) travel further into the back-country to the remote home with Emmett. All of it foreshadowing to their plight of situation though, no one very concern, who would be?

Once inside the house, the camera shifts a tad too much, losing focus a bit, Emmett introducing his friend Lydia (Davina Joy), a vixen, and another quiet stranger Shea (Josh Bingenheimer) and then odd fun of talking starts – lots of talking, and even more talking. Randi and Emmett slip away for a drug inducing lustful feeding frenzy of carnal desires. However, he leaves a bit drained of the passionate domination of her and returns to the party. Lydia and Brandon venture off to dance, and into a private S&M room where she tries to dominate but enrages him into a brutal rage attacking her, fret not show knows how to handle his sexual aggression and meat. Meanwhile Emmett escorts Trish and Shea over to the kitchen for more drinks and talking learning that Trish actually vegan, something which disturbs Emmett and begins a philological discussion involving civil norms, humans as the highest form and society outlook, hence Bentel’s expressing deep thoughts.

Later after dinner, they return to the living room to play clothed porno-title charades – lame game within a dull party, before learning of the death of (spoiler) Brandon… Emmett “Let’s all sleep on it, since we’re drunk and high” sure – normal thing that happens at parties. Trish and Shea venture to the bedroom to engage in lovemaking, by morning all the pieces in place rush the ending, as the film overstayed its invitation too.

Many times great efforts find themselves wasted, from poor editing to a weakened script, nevertheless what wrecks the movie sound issues, muddling the dialogue of the characters. As to reflect on the script, action becomes an important in horror films, unless you have the stellar actors to pull from in heavy thick tedious preaching speeches.

Predatory Instinct, DOA, unsure where the budget got spent, clearly not on the screen enough, the end of the second act delivers outrageous unbelievable concepts too far-fetched for any entertainment worth. The film lists itself as Action/Suspense/Horror, sure action to stay awake, suspense is it over yet, sorry even more talking, and last one, no way, no thrills, no chills, and limited blood loss, time to return the film to the grave.

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Consider by many as a Horror Historian, writing detail reviews on many sites, with the first horror I ever saw was Grizzly (1976), from there I discovered Vincent Price and Christopher Lee movies, and of course Universal Monsters. I never watch the films just once, no rather multiple times, as I got older become both a completeist (the goal to watch all the horror films possible) and started to research many films to new depths of interest. Many of my reviews contain vast amounts of details about each film, in a fair review.

In addition, a screenwriter and actor and producer of Blind Documentary, called A World Without Boundaries, and podcast DJ of 4 weekly shows 2 metal and 2 horror theme. Enjoy all things Horror, Gothic, and Macabre.